The 2021 NFL Draft has come and gone, and from a local point of view pundits generally see the classes of the Giants and Jets as successful, while the Patriots might have nabbed a long-term quarterback in Mac Jones. Zooming in even more locally, a few more players with Connecticut ties were either drafted or signed free agent deals over the weekend to get their shots at making the final 53-man rosters.
Here are the players either from Connecticut or with CT ties to come out of the weekend on an NFL roster:
Jason Pinnock: The first Connecticut native to hear his name selected, Pinnock will stay close to home and join the Jets. The Windsor native and his family were at Spare Time in Windsor Locks waiting for the call that came in the fifth round on Saturday. The Pitt alumnus led the Panthers with three interceptions last year and will immediately fight for playing time with two other corners New York picked up on Saturday.
Ben Mason: A rarity in today's NFL: a fullback was drafted! The Newton native and 2016 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year was the Ravens' fifth-round pick on Saturday. A graduate of Michigan, he'll go from playing for one Harbaugh brother (Jim) in college to the other (John) in the pros. Though it's a little-used position, Baltimore is a place to be for a fullback, as the Ravens have led the league in rushing in each of the last two years. He'll backup Pat Ricard should be make the team.
Tyler Coyle: The former Husky (and another Windsor native) spent his final collegiate season at Purdue, where he notched 13 tackles in three games and reportedly had an impressive pro day. It was enough to get Coyle a free agent contract with the Cowboys. In his three years in Storrs, Coyle twice led the team in tackles (2018 & 2019) and picked off three passes. A hybrid linebacker/safety, he'll translate as the latter at the pro level as he tries to make it on a revamped Dallas defense.
Tarik Black: The final homegrown talent to latch on with a pro team is Black. Hailing from Hamden and starring at Cheshire Academy, the wide receiver signed a free agent deal with the Colts after an up-and-down college career. He spent three years at Michigan, with his only fully healthy season coming in 2019 (323 yards, 1 touchdown) before transferring to Texas last year, where he caught 10 balls, including one touchdown.